MOUNT VERNON – Brewton-Parker College Men’s Soccer is 0-2 after two disappointing losses in season opening games against Freed-Hardeman University (Aug. 21) and Thomas University (Aug. 26).

The Barons hosted Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) Saturday, Aug. 21 in the first soccer match of the season. Head Coach Mike Dye said his team started off slow in the first half, struggling to keep possession of the ball and control of the game.

The Barons fans were out in force to cheer on the Barons Soccer program Saturday, August 21 on the Mount Vernon campus.

In the 14th minute, Guilherme Dorigo of FHU took advantage of a break-away and put the ball past Baron goalkeeper, Chris Coker, to give the Lions a 1-0 lead in the first half. With six minutes remaining in the half, the Barons responded when midfielder Ivan Torres crossed the ball into forward Donald Abuda for a tap-in goal. The game remained tied 1-1 at half.

The Barons opened the second half much better, stringing together more passes and controlling most of the possession until the Lions took advantage of a defensive error, said Dye. Simbarasha Zvaita of FHU put the Lions up 2-1 six minutes into the second half. This did not stop the Barons as they continued to see opportunities to find the back of the net, Dye added.

The game continued to go back and forth until the 69th minute when Zvaita of FHU put another shot past Baron goalkeeper Coker, giving Zvaita two goals for the game and putting the Lions up 3-1. The Barons continued to see scoring opportunities come their way but were unable to find the back of the net, said Dye.

The Barons fell short again Aug.26 in the second match of the season. For the second time this year, the Barons gave up an early goal in the first half, allowing Thomas University (TU) to go up 0-1 at the start of regulation. Angus Cox of TU put the Barons into a difficult situation early in the game, driving a shot to the far post past Baron goalkeeper Chris Coker at the three minute mark.

The game continued to go back and forth, when the Barons saw an opportunity to answer back in the seventh minute. Forward Donald Abuda found himself unmarked in front of an open net, but was unable to “capitalize on a beautiful opportunity,” said Dye. His tap-in goal from five yards away went wide.

The Barons continued to fight throughout the first half, and control and possession switched back and forth between the Nighthawks and Barons. With six minutes remaining in the half, the Nighthawks would again capitalize on another opportunity, driving a shot past Baron goalkeeper Chris Coker.

Down 0-2 at half, the Barons started the second half with optimism and confidence that they would answer back. Again, the Barons gave up another goal early into the half on a defensive error that lead to a penalty kick for the Nighthawks. Alex Flemming would capitalize and put TU up 0-3 at the 64th minute mark.

“This goal took our confidence away”, said Coach Dye. “We controlled the flow of the game in the second half up until the penalty kick. We saw our chances for scoring opportunities increase dramatically, but giving up the third goal made it even harder for us to regain our flow.”

The Nighthawks sealed the game when Baron goalkeeper Coker would give TU their fourth goal at the 82nd minute mark when he bobbled a cross and dropped it into the net for an own-goal. Now 0-2, the Barons will travel to Clearwater, Florida, for games against Clearwater Christian College and Florida College Sept 3-4.

The next men’s home game is Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. against Georgia Southwestern.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia. With its main campus located in Mount Vernon, the college also offers bachelor’s and associate’s degrees at its external site in Newnan.

Brewton-Parker College | Located on U.S. 280 at 201 David-Eliza Fountain Circle, P. O. Box 197, Mount Vernon, GA 30445
with a site in Newnan
912-583-2241, 1-800-342-1087Get directions to the main campus.Contact Technology Services if you have any comments, questions or issues.

The mission of Brewton-Parker College, a Georgia Baptist college, is to develop the whole student through the application of Biblically-centered truth to a liberal arts curriculum in a community of shared Christian values.